Feast on mangoes as heat brings down their price

By Richa Pinto |Posted 22-Mar-2014

As the fruit ripens faster due to heat, more crates enter APMC market, thus bringing down its price

The season to indulge in mangoes is here. According to mango traders, the king of fruits is entering the market in abundance. In fact, the number of mango boxes has almost doubled in the last one week.

About 15,000 crates of mangoes are entering the APMC market, bringing down the price of the fruit. Traders claim that the increase in temperature has helped shorten the ripening period of the fruit, allowing a large produce to enter the market. Representation pic

At present, there are about 15,000 crates coming into the Agricultural Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) of Vashi.

The increase in supply is good news for customers, as it has brought down the price. Traders claim that the increase in temperatures has helped shorten the ripening period of the fruit, allowing a large produce to enter the market.

However, the fall in price was unexpected, as the season began late this year. Mangesh Sawant, a mango trader said, “Farmers are not too happy with the reduction in price.

Since these are perishable items and we cannot keep them for long, we have to settle at the rate we get. Another reason is that while the supply has increased, the demand of peak season isn’t here yet.”

Exporters’ joyThe increase in supply is also good news for mango exporters, as they are expecting bigger markets this year with the fall in price. Kanaiya Nishad, a mango exporter from the APMC market, said, “We are sending close to 20 tonnes of mangoes to Gulf countries, and the numbers are expected to increase in a few days. The advantage of exporting the fruit to the Gulf is that there is no need to undergo any post- harvest treatment, as compared to other countries.”

VoicesWhile there was a cold wave on February 23, mercury levels started rising since the last fortnight. Places like Devgad and Ratnagiri border have sent close to 6,000 boxes. - Omkar Sapre, advisor, Devgad Taluka Amba Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit

The number of petis has doubled after Holi, due to rise in temperature in the last few days. The increase in number of hapus mangoes has also brought down the price of the fruit, as compared to its rate when it entered the market. - Sanjay Pansare, director, APMC market